Mt. Hope Sanctuary

There is a place in McPherson that I have wanted to share with you for so long...I just wasn't sure that I would find the right words.  It's called Mt. Hope Sanctuary.  Its concept and implementation is amazing.  Mt. Hope Sanctuary serves single women between the ages of 18-65 who are facing hopeless circumstances due to either generational or situational poverty as a result of many of the following reasons:  Abandonment or neglect, divorce, limited education or skills, history of addictions, loss of employment, or death of a spouse. I'm no longer worried about finding the right words, because THEIR words say it all...

:

Again, amazing.  If you feel called to help, please visit the donation page here.  You can become a volunteer, provide specific items needed, donate online, or simply pray for this organization, its leaders and residents.

Below, you will find the list of items currently needed at Mt. Hope Sanctuary.  If you're coming to Maple Memories, we would be happy to accept your generous gifts and deliver them to Mt. Hope on your behalf.

Current Household needs list:  
Fire Extinguishers (2) 5 lb ABC fire extinguishers  
Copy Paper
Package of ink pens (black or blue)
2 baby gates  
Small-medium plastic food storage containers  
Folding chairs (4-8)
Gas cards
Wal-Mart gift cards for various needs
Liquid soap refills 
Dryer sheets
Paper towels

Our mission is to provide a sanctuary (our transitional home)

                        that offers HOPE: (Healing, Opportunity, Peace & Empowerment)

                                        to single women (and their children)

                                                      who are committed to achieving self-sufficiency.

Friday Feature - Kettle Creek

McPherson is lucky to have several really great places to get coffee. One of my favorites is Kettle Creek Coffee House. The owner, Joan, is super sweet and her newest employee, Sarah, is one of my closest friends! If you stop in, make sure you tell them Maple Memories sent you!!

Kettle Creek has a great selection of coffees and other specialty drinks, as well as wonderful food items. I recently had a "Minty Mountain" which is espresso, gourmet chocolate, chocolate mint & peppermint with whipped cream on top...it was heavenly!! Oh, and the Breakfast Burritos are super yummy too! They have a Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Menu including (but not limited to) pastries, muffins, burritos, chicken/ham/tuna salad, soups, and sloppy joe's. Call in orders are welcome. I believe they have delivery available on orders over $20 from 11am-1pm.

It's a cozy atmosphere, complete with games on a shelf for you to play with friends. They even have live entertainment and open mic night for those of you that want to give it all you've got!! Relaxing and friendly, this is a MUST when you come to McPherson!

HA!! That sign just cracks me up!!!! Unless those children are going home with me...then not so funny! ;) Here's my yummy burrito...mmmmm...I'm suddenly hungry.

Kettle Creek Coffee House

1358 North Main St

McPherson, KS 67460

(620)755-1424

Business Hours:

Monday - Saturday: 7am - 7pm

Open till 9pm on Music Nights (check here for schedule)

CLOSED SUNDAY

You can check them out on Facebook as well.

Friday Feature - Steph Cooks PW!

My friend, Steph, has started a wonderful new blog called "Steph Cooks PW!" I have not ever picked up The Pioneer Woman cookbook (*GASP*), but those of you that share Stephs addiction (and I know there are LOTS of you out there) should check out her blog. She is inspiring me to want to try these recipes. She is the mom of 4 absolutely adorable children and she loves to cook. How do you do that!? My picky middle child has made me detest it, but Steph "critics" are making me laugh AND have me actually thinking about getting back into the kitchen!

She confesses: "I have an addiction...and it involves The Pioneer Woman! I love her and I love her recipes. I also love to hear from others who have tried them too. So feel free to check back often as I cook my way through her recipes. I cook for the 5 critics I live with, and they let me know what they think."

Steph has devised a "5 Star Rating System", each member of the family gives the recipe a frowny or a smiley face depending on what they thought about it. Here are 4 of her "critics", with her husband being the 5th.

Told you they were adorable! So, go check out Steph's blog and see what you can cook up for dinner! I've been craving PF Chang's lettuce wraps lately, and then what did I find when I pop over to visit Steph!!?? Mmmmm...and they got 5 stars!

Friday Feature - SassyBags

SassyBags is one of the newest stores on Main Street and is quickly becoming a local favorite!! Both the outside and inside reflect its "sassy" name by carrying a black and hot pink theme throughout. The owner, Casey Stucky, is as friendly as can be AND is kind enough to leave 15% off coupons for the guests at Maple Memories!! So, grab your friends and head inside...

where you will find tons of fun and unique items!! She has everything a girl could want when it comes to purses, wallets, and accessories. Color, color, color!! It's such a cheerful place to shop...you really should stop on by! Oh, and did I mention that she has great prices and even better SALES!!?? Make sure to let Casey know that Maple Memories sent you!

SassyBags
302 N Main
McPherson, KS 67460
(620)755-6223
sassybags@live.com
Business Hours:
Monday 12PM - 5:30PM
Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 11:30AM - 5:30PM
Wednesday 11AM - 5PM

Saturday 10:30AM - 4PM
CLOSED SUNDAY

Friday Feature - Papa's Pumpkin Patch

Last week the kids only had a 1/2 day of school, so I asked them if they wanted to go to the pumpkin patch. "PAPA'S!!!!!" they all yelled at the same time! SO, off we went to Papa's Pumpkin Patch. I had my camera and debated whether to make them change into "coordinating" outfits and brush their hair (because Pumpkin Patches are the BEST places for GREAT pictures), but decided to just hit the road "as is"!!! I tell you, it was so relaxing and fun that I wanted to share Papa's Pumpkin Patch with you.

As soon as it was in sight, the van exploded with excitement as they saw the giant slide. I barely got the van in park before doors were opening and kids were jumping out! Off they ran, straight for the slide. This is one of the MANY things that I love about Papa's...IT'S FREE!!! No waiting in line to pay. You just start experiencing it right away!!! We were greeted by Shanna, whose parents own the patch. She is so warm and welcoming and told us all the patch had to offer this year.


THE SLIDE...

PUMPKIN SLINGSHOTS...5 for a $1.00...win a prize if you hit the "PRIZE" target...we didn't, but not for lack of trying!

KID ACTIVITY AREA...they could spend HOURS just playing in the corn. There is also a CORN MAZE, but since Daddy wasn't along this time, we decided to wait till next time.

PUMPKIN PATCHES...they have 3 of them. You get to cut your own and if you bring enough "helpers" you don't even have to push the wagon back yourself! ;)

ANIMALS...pigs, turkeys, goats, a donkey, and dogs...the kids fell in love with "Louie"...he returned his love with puppy kisses!

You can also take a FREE WAGON RIDE!! Buy beautiful MUMS, GOURDS, and other UNIQUE PUMPKINS. There is FOOD (like grilled pork burgers and homemade desserts) and DRINKS! AND they have cute little areas set up for photographs...hay bales, mums, pumpkins, tractors, the side of a barn...PERFECT!!!

See!!?? You don't need coordinating outfits for a day of fun and great pictures!!!

PAPA'S PUMPKIN PATCH, 374 E 70th, Newton, KS 67114

HOURS: Fridays 1 - 6; Saturdays 10 - 6; Sundays 12 - 6

Located 6 miles North of Newton on Hwy K-15, then 3/4 mile East

620-367-2721

Friday Feature - McPherson Water Park

After spending a majority of the Summer at the McPherson Water Park, I just can't say enough good things about it. I mean where else can you still get in for the day for $1.00 and get candy at the concession stand for 10 CENTS!!??? No, I'm not kidding!!

The McPherson Water Park offers fun for all ages. There is a 500 foot lazy river, Giant Water Slide, deep diving area, and an 8 lane 50 meter pool. There is a zero depth entry pool, Bulldog slide, and the children's spray area for the little ones.

Zero Depth entry pool. The colored lines underwater indicate a depth change. It's great because you can figure out where your child STOPS being able to reach and let them know that they shouldn't go past the blue line or the red line.

Kids Squirt Park area. They love the anticipation of waiting for the buckets to fill and dump on their little heads!!

Don't the colors just make you happy!!?? Yes, I've seen many an adult stand under them with the giddy anticipation as well!!

Lazy River. They also offer Water Walking in the Lazy River two times a day. You can walk AGAINST the current. I'm telling you, it's more of a workout than one might think!! If you need to stretch your legs while staying at Maple Memories, this would be a great activity for your group!! I think it's just a dollar a person if you come just for Water Walking. Check it out!!

Last, but not least, BIRTHDAY PARTIES!!! You can rent the party shelter for 2 hours for only $10.00. My daughter wanted her birthday there this year...it was a blast!! She wanted a "Water Park Cake" with the water slide and Squirt Park and diving boards and swimmers and lifeguards...OH MY!!! I did my best...

and had LOTS of fun being creative, and eating candy, while making it!! ENJOY SOME FUN AT MCPHERSON WATER PARK!!! Come on Family Night (Fridays) and the WHOLE family gets in for $5.00!!!

McPherson Water Park, 511 Lakeside Dr, McPherson, KS 620-245-2578

Friday Feature - Main Street Deli

Soups, Salads, and Wraps, OH MY! This is what you will find on the menu of the Main Street Deli in McPherson. When you walk in you will find chalkboards hanging above the counter with a variety of mouth watering choices!! There is another chalkboard to the left with the daily specials and soup choices. The glass cabinets in the front are stocked full of bakery items that are made from scratch daily...yep, you heard me right, made from SCRATCH!! I hear that the Chocolate Almond Coconut Pie is to die for, although I have yet to try it (the fudge gets me every time!!).

There is also a cute little gift shop in the front, where you can find some fun and unique items. Adorable little tutu's with matching flip flops, Initial luggage tags, mugs, purses, wallets, jewelry, stuffed animals. When I was in the other day, a little onsie caught my eye...it had a picture of the Earth with letters that read, "Hi! I'm new here." How cute it that!!??

Main Street Deli
108 S Main

McPherson, KS 67460

(620)241-1888

Business Hours: Mon-Fri 10:30AM - 9PM and Sat 10:30AM - 8PM

CLOSED SUNDAY

AND ONE OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT MAIN STREET DELI...YOU CAN WALK THERE FROM MAPLE MEMORIES!!! WE LOVE THAT!!!!

Friday Feature - Amics

Amics is a Mediterranean Cafe located on Main Street in McPherson. The bright colors of the restaurant make its new location easy to find. I was recently treated to a private event at Amics with some friends, where I was able to get to know a little more about Amics and its owners, Shane and Anne Kirchner. Anne had created a fun cooking demonstration for our group and she was absolutely delightful! Her passion for Spain and the Mediterranean style of cooking was overflowing from her as she explained to us about this region and its heart-healthy menus.

(That's Anne, WAY down on the other end of the table, cooking and laughing!)

Currently, Amics is only open for lunch, but plans are underway to to include a Spanish-inspired tapas bar Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. This is fantastic news for our guests that want to enjoy dinner downtown over the weekend (and we LOVE that it's within walking distance of Maple Memories). You can check out their current lunch menu here. Next time I am in, I have plans to try the Matisse Salad...Chicken salad with mandarin oranges, pineapple, celery, green pepper, sugared almonds & honey yogurt dressing served on a bed of mixed greens...mmmm...sounds yummy! I'll leave you with a few pictures of Amics (keep in mind it was after hours when we were there and they won't REALLY make you sit on top of the tables!)

"Creating friendships through the art of food." LOVE IT!

Amics Mediterranean Cafe and Tapas Bar

204 N Main
McPherson, KS 67460
(620)241-1833
Catering Available
Business Hours:
Mon - Sat 11AM - 2PM
Thurs, Fri, Sat evening Tapas Bar coming soon!!!
CLOSED SUNDAY

**Update from the owner, Anne, on 9/22/09...."In addition to our lunch hours of 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday - Saturday, Amics is now open in the evenings 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Thursday - Saturday. The evening hours are dedicated to the Spanish tapas tradition."

Friday Feature - Bella Casa

Today our Friday Feature is Bella Casa, an Italian Restaurant in McPherson. I remember when this first opened and everyone was buzzing about the new restaurant in town. I asked where it was located. "It's in the bowling alley", came the unexpected response! Yes, it is attached to the bowling alley!!!

When I think of an Italian Restaurant, I think of "fine dining." I don't know what you picture in your head, but this probably isn't the interior that comes to mind!

It doesn't take long to get past the fact that it's in a bowling alley AND the decor isn't "typical" when they bring you a basket of warm bread and a menu full of the most delicious sounding food. The bread is amazing!!! Seriously, I could down a whole basket as I'm reading through the menu choices!!

Here are the descriptions for a few of my favorites.
"Joe's Special" - Chicken sauteed with garlic, mushrooms and spinach cooked in a white wine cream sauce.
"Chicken Alfredo" - Fettuccini pasta sauteed in a homemade white , Alfredo sauce.
"Manicotti" - Pasta stuffed and rolled with ricotta cheese topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. (That's it in the picture below.)

If you've been there, what's your favorite dish!?

There are so many wonderful menu items to choose from. My husband says you can't go wrong with the Lasagna (he orders it everytime!!). They also have "Daily Specials" that aren't on the regular menu. My Dad ate with us the other day and had a Steak and Shrimp Scampi combo. Just look at all those seasonings!!! And, yes, he thought it was weird that I took a picture of his food...welcome to the blogging world, Dad!!! ;)

This has become a favorite restaurant for many groups that stay at Maple Memories. They also have carry-out pizza. I haven't tried it, but the last time I was there people kept coming in and leaving with pizza boxes, so it must be pretty good!!

Bella Casa

900 West Kansas Ave

McPherson, KS 67460

(620)245-5104 * (620)245-5106

Catering Available

Business Hours:

Tues - Thurs 11AM - 9:30PM

Fri - Sat 11AM - 10PM

Sunday 11AM - 9PM

CLOSED MONDAY

Friday Feature - The Cake Lady

The Cake Lady. The name alone makes me feel warm and welcome. The owner, Michelle, is as nice as they come. Always ready to great you with a smile as she walks out from the back room, where she has been baking or decorating, when she hears you enter. She makes the most BEAUTIFUL cookies you have ever seen. Today when I went in, she had ice cream cone and flower shaped ones. (My girls go nuts over the pink flowers, while my son always eyes the BIG monster cookies!!) Her counter is also filled with muffins, cupcakes, biscotti, and candy.

Didn't I tell you her cookies were pretty!? She also makes cakes for any occasion. Is someone in your group at Maple Memories celebrating a birthday or having a baby!!?? What a great surprise to have a beautiful cake, cookie bouquet (these are DARLING), or diaper cake ready for her. Give Michelle a call at 620-241-9100 to place your order.

In addition to all of the great food items, "The Cake Lady" also carries gift items for everyone. Fashionable purses, monogrammed wallets, backpacks and water bottle holders for kids, jewelry, and KU and K-State items just to name a few. For those of you that have been to McPherson, you might recognize her building as the previous home of "The Old Muffin Factory". Fortunately for us, Michelle continues to stock the shelves of her store with the famous muffin mixes and pancake mixes from "The Old Muffin Factory." This pancake mix is a staple at my house!! Seriously, I ran out one day and made the kids pancakes out of Bisquick instead (not telling them). They each took a bite and looked up and me and said, "Mom, these pancakes don't taste very good!" TRUE STORY. You MUST pick up a bag when you are in town, or you can order it online at http://www.themuffinfactory.com/.

"The Cake Lady"

217 S Main

McPherson, KS 67460

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:30PM and Saturday 9AM - 3PM

CLOSED ON SUNDAY

One final picture to leave you with...the Pina Colada muffin I stopped in and grabbed for breakfast!!! Come on in, grab a muffin, some coffee or a cappuccino, and find a spot at one of the quaint tables. Ahhhh...WELCOME TO MCPHERSON!!

Friday Feature - Lakeside Park

Lakeside Park is one of my favorite places in McPherson. It has the most beautiful scenery! There is a really neat bridge that goes over the lake and leads to a fountain. If you're lucky, you might get to witness a wedding taking place here.

Lakeside Park has walking paths and a frisbee golf course for those that want to get outside and enjoy some fresh air while they exercise.

Something new and exciting is happening at Lakeside Park!! The McPherson CVB has decided to have free movies this Summer at the bandshell. Grab a blanket or lawn chair and come out for the evening! Concessions will be available. For more information on movies and showtimes, contact the McPherson CVB. While you're waiting for the movie to start, you can have dinner on one of the many picnic tables and then feed your crumbs to the ducks! There's also a large playground for the kids.

There are so many beautiful things all around Lakeside, so be sure to grab your camera...

and capture those precious memories!!!